DEAR DR. FOX: The American Kennel Club always wants it all ways. It says that it registers dogs, not breeders or kennels, but since registration of dogs doesn't provide sufficient income -- something on the order of half or fewer are actually registered -- it also registers litters and requires breeders of those litters to register and microchip them -- a good way to track their origin. The idea was that people would then go on and register their puppies. However, they weren't bothering to do that because most of them weren't breeding or showing the dogs, so there was no need for the papers.

There seems to be a thin line between registering breeders and requiring registration of a litter. In both cases, however, they fail to deal with the middleman: the broker, who is a major part of the horror show. Brokers don't breed dogs, but they deprive puppies of everything they need to be "normal" dogs. That's where epigenetic effects would seem to begin to show themselves. -- M.D., Miami, Flordia

DEAR M.D.: I hope that the exchanges in this column about the AKC, commercial puppy mills and the genetic and environmental (epigenetic) factors that can result in much suffering and costly veterinary care will help prospective purchasers of purebred and "designer" puppies think twice. Adopt from the shelters first!

Breeders need to change breed standards -- especially extreme traits like abnormal body sizes, conformation, deformed skulls and pushed-in faces, which can mean a lifetime of distress. This issue is gaining momentum in the United Kingdom with involvement of the British Veterinary Association, Kennel Club and major animal charities. For details, see the article "Recovering Canine Health" on my website. The AKC could take the initiative here in the U.S., which we all owe to every dog.

FINDING A HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN

The best medicine is prevention, and a holistic, integrative approach to companion animal health in this 21st century calls for a revision of vaccination protocols, of feeding highly processed commercial pet foods, and of over-medicating, especially with so-called preventive medications -- like those sold to keep fleas and ticks at bay -- when there are effective and much cheaper alternatives available that pose far less risk to animals' health, and to the environment.

For further information, contact a holistic veterinarian in your area. Find a searchable list at ahvma.org. Veterinarians and veterinary students wishing to learn more can access this website, and I encourage them to become members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

BOOK REVIEW: "Just Life" by Neil Abramson

The double meaning in this book's title reflects the wit and wisdom of the author, a New York attorney and animal protection advocate. His deep empathy for animals and understanding of human nature drive this page-turning thriller where city dogs, strays and owned alike, face possible extermination while their rescuers and protectors deal with the corrupt elements of government and the genetic engineering, biotech and vaccine industries covering up the reason why children are dying and putting the blame on the dogs for this health crisis. If you want a good book for summertime reading and you care for animals and justice, this is the book for you.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: Your recent article, "A Closer Examination of No-Kill Shelter Policies Is Needed," is a horrible example of the callous attitude that you have toward abandoned and feral cats.

You believe that all abandoned cats should be trapped and murdered, just for the crime of being unowned. I believe that my newspaper should stop carrying your column. A person who hates cats as much as you do cannot be trusted to give advice on any veterinary matter.

Your ignorance of the true policies of the trap-neuter-return movement leads you to make false claims that no-kill shelters "dump" cats on the street after they are spayed or neutered. This could not be farther from the truth. Cats are only returned to the place where they were living and being fed by a caretaker; now they are no longer reproducing, and they have been vaccinated against rabies. I have been running a no-kill nonprofit doing trap-neuter-return for 15 years, and have I have never dumped a cat anywhere.

In the ultimate irony, your daughter defends wolves while you advocate the murder of innocent cats. Dr. Fox, you blame cats for killing wildlife the same way wolf haters blame wolves for killing game animals. Humans are responsible for the decline of wildlife, not wolves or cats.

If you want to protect wildlife, you should take on the hunters protected by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and state game management agencies. If we are really concerned about saving our wildlife, we will ban all hunting and trapping and protect our predators from arbitrary slaughter. -- S.W.B., Waldorf, Maryland

DEAR S.W.B.: I appreciate your concerns and efforts to help cats, but not your accusatory tone, which affirms the truism that a little knowledge often does more harm than good.

You are evidently not aware of or chose not to accept the fact that unadoptable cats are being "dumped" by some animal shelters using trap-neuter-release (TNR) as a cover. After conducting a lot of research, I have made it very clear that under strict conditions, TNR can be effective and ethical. For details, see "Releasing Cats to Live Outdoors" on my website, DrFoxVet.net.

My wife and I have trapped, had neutered, blood tested and fully vaccinated, wormed, rehabilitated and loved several feral cats, whom we either kept or found good homes for. Otherwise, they would have been put back in our neighborhood after neutering and vaccinating with no further care by the local Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley Minnesota. I've posted on my website a short photo-collage of one of these cat's progress under the title "Feral Cats Can Be Rehabilitated."

As for my daughter, Camilla, who founded and directs Project Coyote, she operates totally independent from me and has her own views and agenda. But there is no irony in her being a defender of wolves, since I was one of a handful of wolf scientists and no-hunting-or-trapping advocates who succeeded in the 1970s in securing protection for the wolf under the Endangered Species Act.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have been rescuing Dalmatians for more than 25 years, and I love the breed. I usually take the dogs no one else wants, and they always turn out to be wonderful, loving pets who only want someone to love them.

A few months ago in a column, you mentioned never giving dogs treats made in China because of some of the ingredients. When I buy dog treats, the country in which they are made isn't always listed. If I buy only the treats that specifically state they were made in the United States, it will significantly reduce the kinds of treats I get for my dog, including some of his favorites.

Do you have any suggestions? -- J.R., St. Peters, Missouri

DEAR J.R.: Good for you for rescuing these beautiful dogs who have been abandoned by people who lack understanding and empathy. Far too many people get dogs without first assessing if their lifestyles are compatible and without informing themselves as to the animals' needs and proper care.

Your question is very pertinent when it comes to the big gap between truth in labeling and obfuscation, which is especially true with many pet foods and treats. Ingredients may come from abroad -- from China in particular -- then go into a product manufactured in the U.S. The product labeled "distributed" by Company X is probably manufactured in China, Thailand or some other country where food quality and safety are not under the (still imperfect) U.S. standards of surveillance and regulation.

Some of the new freeze-dried treats with no preservatives or additives, such as Stella and Chewys, are made in the U.S. and in my preferred choice category. But the best solution is to start making your own treats, as per my recipe "Dr. Fox's Good-Dog Cookies," posted on my website.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I wanted to let your readers know that there are numerous internet scammers out there who are looking to victimize you.

My dog, who meant the world to me, died in my arms a few months ago. Eventually, we decided we were ready to add to our family with a puppy. I found a website that looked promising, with a gorgeous puppy who appeared to be exactly what I wanted, so I made an inquiry. We were in contact via email and text, but I noticed that every time I called, I went straight to voicemail.

The people running the website were to ship the puppy to us today, but they kept stalling in telling us the time, airline, flight number, etc. They finally told me that the puppy had been taken to the airport by the breeder's wife, as he was out of state on business. Naively, we wired payment on Saturday. The breed of puppy I wanted usually costs anywhere from $1,800 to $5,000. However, this scammer showed the most beautiful puppies, including one with the exact markings I wanted! And the price they gave me was $700, plus shipping, which was $185, which included the airline-approved crate, air shipping fees in an air-conditioned area, rather than in cargo, and transportation to my front door.

We never heard back from the "breeder," but I did get an email from an alleged "pet delivery service" that kept calling us, telling us we needed to hit the "confirm" button on its email and send it back. The company called us four times, but by then, we had found it and the breeder on various scam websites. Also, the caller had what seemed to be a thick accent. Thus, we are out nearly a thousand bucks, with no puppy, which we had been so excited to receive.

I am sick that we were scammed out of this money, and that the puppy we fell in love with was fake. I have learned the hard way to not let your heart take over in these cases. Check your breeder, ask for references, go to their kennel if at all possible and see the parents and puppies. Be sure to get a puppy health guarantee, and hopefully, you will not be scammed like we were! -- L.L., Branson, Missouri

DEAR L.L.: You have my sympathy. I wonder how many other people were duped as you were. Your last paragraph echoes what I have written repeatedly: Never buy a pup sight-unseen, and ideally adopt a pup or adult dog from your local shelter.

BOOK REVIEW: "What Is a Dog?" by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger

I am dismayed that this reputable publisher, The University of Chicago Press (which published my doctoral dissertation, "Integrative Development of Brain and Behavior in the Dog"), has put this one out. The title is a giveaway, using "what" rather than "who" about indigenous, natural, aboriginal and landrace dogs. The authors' observations of free-roaming village and developing world garbage dump-foraging dogs, and the plethora of tangential reference citations that provide no deeper understanding or appreciation of the nature of these dogs, diminishes them. I find this objectionable, having studied and lived with these landraces from Africa and India. This book is an affront to the species and a waste of trees.

There is nothing documenting the symbiotic benefits of aboriginal dogs to indigenous peoples; no details about the nature and spirit of these dogs or of their sensibilities, protectiveness and intelligence -- traits that benefit the human community. Rather, the observations, cast in a Darwinian perspective, give a false impression of scientific authority, but to what end? They regard the hard life of village dogs as their "paradise" and state that fights over a bitch in heat rarely cause injuries. Yet even a small bite can mean a slow death from flesh-eating maggot fly infestation. They assert that these dogs -- unlike wild canids, who range far to hunt and bring food in their stomachs, which is regurgitated for their cubs -- are lacking this aspect of maternal care. But they have little need to do so, since the pups around weaning time are close to food sources, and indeed, their mothers do regurgitate food for them on occasion.

The Coppingers confuse symbiosis with commensalism (eating off the same table), which was a catch question for my students of animal behavior in my classes at Washington University in St. Louis. I hope all veterinary students are taught the same.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.net.)